The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced that Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin joined the National Trust as manager of the Preserve Route 66 Initiative last month. Martin, who hails from Tulsa, joins Amy Webb, who leads the Preserve Route 66 Initiative’s cross-Trust team. The initiative provides preservation grants, assistance and advocacy to help … Continue reading Rhys Martin becomes manager of National Trust’s Preserve Route 66 Initiative
New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024
Route 66 enthusiast Mike Curtis, aka 2 Lane Traveler on YouTube, recently created a 20-minute video detailing the changes on the Mother Road from 2007 to 2024. The video thumbnail comes with a provocative question: "Thriving or dying?" (Spoiler alert: Definitely not dying; Curtis asserts the old road is simply changing.) https://youtu.be/qpNoshXr-bY?si=_dsqhgfTLccLQgKs The video is … Continue reading New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024
Gay Parita Station appears in a popular Chappell Roan music video
This debuted months ago, but a music video by fast-rising music artist Chappell Roan features Gay Parita Station and other landmarks in the Springfield, Missouri, region. Route 66 enthusiast Liz Cousins flagged the "Hot to Go" video a few days ago, which originally was flagged by the Gay Parita account on Facebook: https://youtu.be/xaPNR-_Cfn0?si=FPGoNq6af7XGYoZQ In addition … Continue reading Gay Parita Station appears in a popular Chappell Roan music video
Mack the Friendly Lumberjack, neon sign to be installed at Meadow Gold Mack by Aug. 24
Meadow Gold Mack in Tulsa announced its 20-foot-tall Mack the Friendly Lumberjack statue and its neon sign will be up during the store's grand opening from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 24. Meadow Gold Mack at 1306 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) is just down the street from Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios … Continue reading Mack the Friendly Lumberjack, neon sign to be installed at Meadow Gold Mack by Aug. 24
Section of Route 66 in Wellston to be closed for about a year, starting about Aug. 21
A small but significant section of Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, will be closed for about a year while a bridge is being replaced on the adjacent Turner Turnpike. The road closure will begin about Aug. 21, with detours onto county roads. Joe Echelle of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority during a recent meeting provided details … Continue reading Section of Route 66 in Wellston to be closed for about a year, starting about Aug. 21
Oklahoma Route 66 Association hires new executive director
Oklahoma Route 66 Association President Rhys Martin announced this week that Julie Akers has been hired as the organization's new executive director. Akers replaces longtime executive director Marilyn Emde, who retired in 2022 after almost 20 years at the helm. Martin stated in a news release: She brings more than a decade of experience working … Continue reading Oklahoma Route 66 Association hires new executive director
Preservation team repairs Wash Lady, Loretta’s Burrito Hut neon signs in Tucumcari
Larry Plath and Johnnie Meier of the New Mexico Route 66 Preservation Team recently repaired neon tubing for the so-called "Wash Lady" at Boulevard Cleaners and Loretta's Burrito Hut, both along Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico. The duo also began repairing the tubing on the Odeon Theatre in Tucumcari, which isn't on Route 66 … Continue reading Preservation team repairs Wash Lady, Loretta’s Burrito Hut neon signs in Tucumcari
Newly designed Oklahoma license plate includes images of POPS, Route 66 shield
It's small and subtle, but a new design of Oklahoma's license plate includes an image of a Route 66 shield and POPS in Arcadia. The Sooner State rolled out the new design last week that pays homage to the state's inaugural star-46 flag. Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907. It also includes the state's … Continue reading Newly designed Oklahoma license plate includes images of POPS, Route 66 shield
State official: “Two to three years of life remaining’ on Singing Road near Tijeras
A New Mexico Department of Transportation official told an Albuquerque television station that only two to three years of life are left for the so-called Singing Road on Route 66 in Tijeras. KRQE-TV told Kimberly Gallegos, a DOT public information officer, the rumble strips on Route 66 designed to play "America the Beautiful" when motorists … Continue reading State official: “Two to three years of life remaining’ on Singing Road near Tijeras
Lights on at the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park in Granite City
Local officials flipped the switch Thursday night at the new It's Electric Neon Sign Park just off Route 66 in Granite City, Illinois. According to Riverbender.com, the park at 19th Street and Delmar Avenue was funded by a $500,000 grant from the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau and the Illinois Office of Tourism to … Continue reading Lights on at the It’s Electric Neon Sign Park in Granite City